Want to learn how to design, install and manage profitable farm scale permaculture systems? Join us for ten intensive days carefully crafted for those ready to learn with an internationally regarded expert and teacher in farm scale permaculture and regenerative agricultural design. Our design course trainings are renowned for the no-nonsense approach we take to pragmatic and effective systems design. We farm and design properties for a living from one of the northern most regenerative ag farms on the planet, so if you want to learn how to make it all work for yourself, you've come to the right place.

WHAT MAKES OUR TRAINING UNIQUE?

​Besides Richards' broad and intensive experience working as a professional designer and educator in this field for over a decade, Richard and Yohanna are also able to make a living from their farm. Whilst there are many trainings of this nature out there around the world, there are very few professional educators with such rounded experience who actually make a living from production. To be frank, if you aren't working with these systems on a day-to-day basis, then there can be no transmission of true knowledge and insight, only the sharing of ideas and concepts. We're dedicated to supporting others into farming and producing for themselves in a way that restores soils and habitats, community and local economy. Our experience shows that it is clearly the 'back end', the decision-making and planning, the economics and monitoring that makes it all work. When you come to our trainings we open all doors, and share from our direct experience. No wild theory, no fluff, straight to it....

KEY THEMES IN OUR APPROACH

Managing Holistically Defining your Context is the very basis of Managing Holistically. It is the very foundation in all our design work, as well as how we manage our farm and lives. Farm Scale Permaculture offers principles and attitudes for designing success, but we always integrate Holistic Management to deal with the complexity of making decisions regarding human relationships, ecology and economy.

Keyline Design The Scale of Permanence offers us an organisational framework for the design of larger landscapes, which we have used for many years in our work. Our whole training program follows the same order of prioritisation with which we approach landscapes, to leave you with a coherent and intelligent approach to whole systems design. Topics include climate and biome considerations, landform and mapping, reading the landscape, understanding water in the landscape, water systems and management, trees and woody crops, access, infrastructure, integrated animal systems, soils and closed loop fertility management.

Tree and woody crops Agroforestry is a vital component in the future of broadacre land regeneration. By understanding the functions of woody systems in different parts of our landscapes we can clarify the agroforestry assemblies suited to our land base. Virtually every farm on the planet could benefit from more woody crops, and so we look at design considerations, planting and management strategies and all the additional yields woody ag offers.

Low Cost Infrastructure development With an ageing farmer/ landowner population, most farmers cannot afford to get out of farming as their capital is locked up in assets. Consequently young people wanting access to land have a hard time getting in the game. Due to the educational aspect of our work, we specialise in low cost, scalable and modular enterprises that could run on rented land and small properties alike. We delve into the mobile and modular infrastructure, fencing and appropriate technologies, etc, that help make small farms work.​Integrated Animal systems Pasture based production is so vital to farms of the future, as there are no shorter chains of production than converting sunlight to flesh via grasses. Yet so little emphasis and understanding has been placed on grass physiology and ecology. Diving deep into this fascinating subject, we will also gain insight into Holistic Planned Grazing and monitoring your grassland using different survey techniques. We will also look at Pastured Egg Mobiles, Broilers and turkeys; fantastic profitable small farm enterprises that play a very important role in rekindling tired pastures and that can easily be scaled up and down accordingly. Operating one of Europe’s lowest cost approved slaughter facilities from Ridgedale, you will also be involved with on- farm slaughter, processing and nutrient cycling.

A No-Dig approach to Market Gardening No-Dig represents the very best soil building approach to growing annual vegetables, and combined with BioIntensive spacings and good crop planning this makes for a fantastic small scale economically profitable enterprise. We use innovative approaches to composting, growing microbiology as well as harvesting, storing and planning. We will get into the back end of the planning and design considerations that reduce the workload of this intensive enterprise. Besides a diverse variety of vegetables you'll also learn all about microgreens and intensive tunnel cultivation of tomato and cucumbers.

Closed-loop fertility Soils are the basis of everything we are looking to create. For us, the basic premise of regenerative agriculture is that it must be soil building. There are many ways to capture carbon back into increasingly productive agricultures, which we cover as a theme in all the topics. We will also explore approaches to closing fertility loops on the farm as far as possible, including topics like making your own composts, bio-fertilisers, compost teas, biochar, growing microbiology, etc.

Regenerative Enterprise Ultimately it is effective decision making, diligent planning and monitoring that make it all work. In Farm Scale Permaculture we aim to observe and understand natural patterns to be able to design more effective and resilient systems. Economic considerations are no different. We can design enterprises that benefit all involved and marketing local food systems presents opportunities and leverage points that give us an upper edge. Selling what you produce is half the work and so we explore CSA’s, buying clubs, farm currencies and other innovative ways to reduce the work and risk whilst building community.

​SCHEDULE and content

Example structure and session breakdown. Subject to flex according to weather/ group needs, etc

We offer a far-reaching and on-point learning schedule with Richard Perkins, one of Europe's foremost Regenerative Ag and Keyline Design Professionals. Such trainings vary hugely, please do your research. We are offering an unparalleled opportunity to learn with a pioneering educator at what has quickly become a leading example of farm scale permaculture globally. Our trainings are second to none, and we invest a huge amount of thought and energy into creating the optimal learning experiences to participants from every corner of the globe. This design course is entirely focused on farm scale applications of regenerative design, giving you insight and hands-on learning into what it takes to build soil and make a farm thrive.

​ARRIVING/ DEPARTING

Please arrive after 2pm on Monday 20th and plan to depart after 9am on Fri 31st May. Please note, we cannot accommodate you or help with transport outside these times.​Driving We are located quite centrally to all the major regional transport hubs. We are 3 hrs from Oslo, 4 hrs from Stockholm and 3.5 hrs from Gothenburg. For Google maps use this address;

Åsen 20, Västra Ämtervik, 68695, Sweden

Train and Bus We recommend using the website http://www.sj.se/ which gives you all the options and comparative prices when travelling in Sweden, in both Swedish and English. We can only pick you up in Västra Ämtervik which is 6km from the farm. PLEASE NOTE; you need to include the Swedish letters for the website to recognise the station.

Flying Travel is simple from the three major transport hubs above. Use the train/ bus link to determine what feels best for you.

Our food policy

We eat a balanced diet of meat, dairy, eggs, vegetables and whole foods. We supply farm raised and grown produce and 100% organic whole foods that we buy in. The course is fully catered, with dinner the evening of arrival and breakfast before you leave.

We operate a one meal policy at the farm. Bear in mind we are a meat producing farm that also slaughters animals here on the farm. ​We regularly use stock, dairy, eggs and meat in meals as well as eating sourdough breads we bake and other ingredients with gluten. Unfortunately we cannot cater for alternative diets. If you are not comfortable eating the rounded diet described it is best not to attend our trainings.

Sleeping and other housekeeping

This course is camping only. Plan on bringing a good tent and sleeping bag and plenty of layers to ensure your comfort, weather is unpredictable at this time of year.

We have sauna and bucket showers available daily

We have high speed fiber optic internet available

​We have simple compost toilets and an outdoor sink with hot and cold water

Course fees

​To join the course please fill in your details in the form linked below, where you will also find payment details;

We prefer to manage our bookings with Bank Transfers or Chickens. ​ Spots can only be secured by cleared payment, and we have to work on a first come- first served basis. Spaces are limited, and we expect this training to fill. By booking this training you are confirming you have read and agree to our RETURNS POLICY as well as all general information supplied.